City Spy: Pidgley gets cross over pesky ballot papers

Thursday 18 June 2015 12:22 BST

Relief: Berkeley’s Tony Pidgley Jason Alden/Bloomberg

Berkeley’s Tony Pidgley was among the housebuilders expressing relief over a Tory election win, but he also had this to say: “Political uncertainty remains with London’s mayoral election and referendum on Britain’s relationship with Europe on the horizon.”

Let’s face it, Tony just isn’t a fan of democracy full stop, is he? Expect a move into China shortly.

* Pidgley is also keeping it in the family, according to the latest results. Berkeley paid Langham Homes, a company controlled by his son, Tony K Pidgley, a fee of £173,000 last year for finding it potential sites to buy.

Berkeley has also paid out £1.27 million to Langham in earlier years over two previous sites.

But things weren’t always so cosy: in 2003 Tony Snr rejected attempts by his son to buy the housebuilder.

Anyone seen Phil since the footy?

Tesco executives start their preparations for the supermarket’s annual meeting in a week’s time.

So City Spy thought it would be a perfect opportunity to resurrect its occasional series Where is Phil Clarke? as shareholders get ready to vote on his £10 million pay-off for bringing the company to its knees.

The latest sighting of the ousted former boss to be brought to Spy’s attention was in April at Wembley Stadium.

Bob Geldof happy to climb down from struggling Ten Alps

Is Bob Geldof realising the world of business is not for him after resigning from Ten Alps, the media group he co-founded in 1999? The struggling firm yesterday announced a £4.5 million placing, a debt restructuring, a share consolidation and the appointment of two new non-execs — and the rock star and activist admitted: “This is the best thing for Ten Alps in years.”

* Is London Stock Exchange boss Xavier Rolet preparing to hang up his boots? The Frenchman, who runs a vineyard in his spare time, commented at last night’s glittering black-tie dinner to celebrate 20 years of AIM that he had only been in charge of the LSE for six of those years. He followed that with: “It’s time for me to think about succession. So if any of you have an interest and a good CV then please send it in.” Was that a Gallic joke or a genuine invitation?